Contact: Adam Cothes, Publicist, WinePress Publishing, 360-802-9758, adam@winepressgroup.com
ENUMCLAW, Wash., Aug. 17 /Christian Newswire/ -- "American church growth is steadily declining" reported Outreach Magazine in its May/June 2006 issue. Coupled with the fact that mid-size churches (memberships of 100-299) continue to lag behind population growth make for a bleak evangelistic future, says author and worship pastor, Gary Wright.
"Basically, local church as we know it is on an apparent, and inevitable road to extinction, without a miraculous move of God's Spirit. It is truly a desperate situation the American Church is in."
And although Mega churches continue to grow every year all across the country, it's not enough to service the religious needs of America's people, claims Wright. "It is estimated that within the next ten to twelve years 60,000 churches will close their doors and that anywhere from 80 to 90 percent of churches are either leveling off or declining."
In his book, "Worship Awakening - An Urgent Message for the Dying American Church" (WinePress 2007), Wright provides statistics and studies to substantiate his claim: "The American Church is dying and we are all responsible."
Low giving and low attendance are two major factors in determining a church closure. But Wright believes the true problem is with worship. Rather than focusing on God, churchgoers have instead turned their attentions towards things such as building bigger church buildings, music style, power point verses hymn books, comfortable pews, and entertaining sermons.
His solution is to revitalize the focus of born-again Christians, to reincorporate an authentic, integral relationship with God. "We need to be real about where we are and we need to be broken. If we will only humble ourselves, seek God's face, and repent of our sins, God will come in with power and restore His Church."
A husband, father of two, pastor, and worship leader, and founder of Fish The Planet, Inc., Gary and his family currently reside in Birmingham, Alabama, where he is in the midst of a church-planting adventure.
For more information, a review copy, or to schedule interviews, contact Adam Cothes at adam@winepressgroup.com, 360.802.9758, or 360.802.5748 fax.
